BOURNEMOUTH’S branch of New Look has closed within a fortnight of the Daily Echo revealing the fashion chain was being ousted by the landlord.

The fashion chain had confirmed it was closing the shop in the Square after its lease was ended early.

A sign in the windows of the branch says: “This store is now closed.

Read more: New Look announces closure of Bournemouth town centre store

“But, we’re never too far away. Visit us in our Castlepoint and Poole stores or shop online at newlook.com”

The demise of the Bournemouth branch is another blow to the town centre after Wilko said it was closing its branch in the Richmond Gardens shopping centre. It had failed to agree new terms with the landlord.

The news was followed by the announcement that the huge House of Fraser site in Old Christchurch Road was closing, with the landlord said to have other plans for the building.

Read more: How Bournemouth could change after New Look and Wilko closures

Councillors and the Bournemouth Town Centre BID have been hopeful that New Look could find another site after 21 years in the town centre, but New Look has not yet confirmed it is searching.

New Look’s landlords were given more scope to end its leases early when the Weymouth-based chain reduced its debts through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in 2020.

The CVA cut New Look’s debts from around £550million to £100m but allowed landlords to end leases “if they believe they can identify an alternative tenant on improved terms”.